Denied Entry Into Canada?

[ST123]

Hello,

I wrote about this late last year as this is when the incident occurred,but just want to add a few details since and try to get a few more answers.

I traveled to Canada from the UK last year to visit my girlfriend,and intended to stay there for around 19-21 days (can't remember what it was now). But when i got there i was informed that my girlfriend was illegal (a fact i didn't know at the time), and the Border Agent also assumed i would remain in the country to work,despite me having a job back in the UK etc, and he also said that i "didn't have a strong relationship with my family" despite not being asked a SINGLE question about my family life. One of the first things i asked was if i could phone my parents to tell them i had arrived safely. I also had a return flight booked as well as travel to get back home when i went back to the UK,to which i had proof of (tickets).

Anyway, me and my girlfriend chatted about the incident and i forgave her, and since then her and her family are currently going through the process of gaining their Canadian passports/citizenship.

My question is, should i try to return, even if she gains her citizenship, and i say that i am going to visit her to the Border Agent, will i still be stopped/denied when her name comes up again? Or will everything be OK if she is legal by then? Also what further proof could i show them that i have strong ties with my family back home etc? My passport wasn't stamped and i left voluntarily and was told i could return, but the Border Agent who was with me said that it was "very unlikely" i would get into the country, even if it was with my family for a holiday.

Just to add, the border agent put in his report that he believed i had been misinformed over the eligibility of my girlfriend and that i was "innocent" in the situation,if this helps at all.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[computergeek]

I know someone from the US who had traveled to the UK and was refused entry at the border under similar unlikely rationale and was told the same thing. Several years later when he needed to travel to the UK again, based upon the advice they gave him at the time, he applied to the UK Embassy in the US for a visa. I would suggest that you do the same thing - that you fill out a TRV application, send it to the Canadian High Commission in London, explain to them the circumstances of your prior denial and the fact you would like to visit. Show them your evidence: employment, a letter granting you holiday leave to visit Canada, when you are expected to depart and return, an ongoing lease for accomodations in the UK, evidence you have strong family ties to the UK, etc. It's a bit unusual since UK citizens don't require a TRV normally, but it's certainly not prohibited - and it's better to be turned down via mail from London than it is to be refused at the border.

Showing up at the border with a TRV and copies of the same information that a VO abroad reviewed and granted your TRV should be sufficient (it's not 100% guaranteed, but it is far more likely since a visa officer had a lot more time to review you than a border officer generally does).

Perhaps others have had this experience and can help you. Of course, you can always consult with an attorney.

 

[ST123]

Thanks for the info.

I have some other friends in Canada who I've known for a few years now and all have said they would like me to visit. Should i take them up on this offer would i have any trouble getting in based on this past incident? Provided that the friends in question, they are legal, and would be able to meet me at the Airport to confirm everything etc.

 

[computergeek]

Thanks for the info.

I have some other friends in Canada who I've known for a few years now and all have said they would like me to visit. Should i take them up on this offer would i have any trouble getting in based on this past incident? Provided that the friends in question, they are legal, and would be able to meet me at the Airport to confirm everything etc.

You can certainly try. The problem is that you are now likely flagged by CBSA, so at a minimum they are going to have you go through a detailed screening. The suggestion about obtaining a TRV was merely to prevent you from being refused at the airport after you've spent all the money on a ticket, but if you want to just fly to Canada to see friends you can certainly do so.

 

[ST123]

I think I'll write them and see what happens. If nothing comes of it then it could be a case of just going back and hoping for the best. I think with someone there this time at the Airport to meet me then it shouldn't be as much of a problem.

 

[Pippin]

Oops...wrong thread. sorry.